Partner Article

Firms urged to add spark to electric vehicles plan

REDEVELOPMENT bosses have called on North East businesses based near major roads to play their part in the impending electric vehicles revolution.

As part of plans to install a total of 1,300 charging points by 2013, Regional Development Agency One North East (ONE) is in the process of procuring 12 quick chargers and is now on the lookout for suitable locations where drivers can plug in.

The 50KW stations can recharge cars like the Nissan LEAF and Mitsubishi i-MiEV to up to 80% of their capacity in 20-30 minutes, compared to eight hours for a full charge using a 3kw charge point or four hours using a 7kw charge point.

These advanced charging points will be a major weapon for combating so-called ‘range anxiety’ in drivers using electric vehicles, and by locating them in strategic locations it is hoped that they will provide reassurance for drivers that journeys beyond a full battery charge are possible in and around the North East.

ONE is already in talks with a number of potential partners about hosting quick charge points. Roadside services are among the most likely locations, but any business or organisation located on or near the major trunk roads and spine roads in the North East are being invited to put themselves forward.

Because of the prohibitively high up-front costs for these charge points, the Agency will finance their installation, but partners will be expected to provide a parking space and fund the ongoing maintenance and electricity costs.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said: “Low carbon vehicles provide significant benefits including reducing CO2 emissions and improving air quality, but they do require appropriate recharging infrastructure. That is why these types of schemes are so important alongside our £5000 incentive scheme for ultra-low carbon cars which was given the go ahead yesterday.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .